Chapter 69 Su Nian's Survival Record of Regular Meeting
This Tuesday's regular meeting of the design department can be described as a large-scale "workplace observation reality show" - Su Nian, a new face in the meeting room, found that the scene was a little unusual as soon as he sat down.
The core topic of this regular meeting is clear, which is to have an in-depth discussion on the new product design plan for the next quarter.
Almost all members of the three design teams were present, except for Zhao Xiaowei, the designer from Fang Xia's team, who went to the factory.
Su Nian was puzzled when she noticed that Director Chen was also present at the meeting. She paused for a moment, then looked around. It seemed that the other colleagues were already used to this.
Mr. Chen is a designer by profession. After returning from France, he founded Chen's Clothing Company. In his heart, design has always been the soul of the company, and attending important meetings of the design department has become the norm.
"The theme of this regular meeting is to discuss the new product plan for next quarter." Director Lan tapped the microphone, his voice flowing through the conference room like a clear spring. "Before the meeting begins, let me first introduce our new member, Su Nian."
Everyone's attention snapped to her. Su Nian nodded slightly, and out of the corner of her eye she saw Chen Ran put down his pen and led the applause. She silently sighed: The chairman leading the charge, this first workplace experience—very heartwarming.
"Su Nian will participate in the design work as my special assistant," Lan Ting said as she flipped open a folder, the pages rustling softly. "I'll make separate arrangements for the specific work. By the way, Li Yue's job remains unchanged."
Director Lan's words were like a reassurance, instantly relaxing Su Nian's tense shoulders. She didn't want to be a "catfish in the workplace," and was even more afraid that she would disrupt her colleagues' rhythm as soon as she arrived. At this moment, she simply wanted to applaud the director's thoughtfulness.
After the meeting officially begins, representatives from the three design teams will spread out their carefully prepared design plans on the projector and present them one by one.
Su Nian noticed that Zhang Yue, who was sitting in the front seat opposite, would always glance at Mr. Chen intentionally or unintentionally, while the chairman, who was usually decisive and resolute, was now concentrating on sketching something in his notebook, like a good student who took notes seriously, and completely missed all suggestive glances.
"This silhouette design is very groundbreaking." Chen Ran suddenly spoke, the tip of his pen touching the design drawing of Wu Xiao's group. As he spoke, the fine lines at the corners of his eyes smoothed out.
Su Nian quietly opened her sketchbook and her pencil moved quickly across the paper.
She recorded not only the design plans, but also the sparks of inspiration that emerged during the discussion - such as the gradient tie-dye technique mentioned by Wu Xiao, or the clever detachable cuff design, just like an auditor who was afraid of missing the exam.
Zhang Yue's presentation was a complete disaster. The familiar design elements were clearly borrowed from a luxury brand's seasonal collection, right down to the exact same button arrangement.
Lan Ting frowned slightly, and Chen Ran had already put down his pen.
"We can borrow ideas, but the soul must be original." His voice was soft, yet it silenced the entire conference room. "What we at Chen's want is instantly recognizable designs, not some 'spot the difference' imitation show!"
This sentence made Su Nian's pen pause, leaving a small ink dot on the paper - goodness, this company doesn't accept "copying" things, originality is the real currency!
Zhang Yue's cheeks flushed red instantly, and the hand holding the laser pen trembled slightly. The red dot of the laser pen drew a messy trajectory under his trembling fingertips, and the originally smooth report was stuck in the middle.
She looked at Lan Ting for help, but saw the director looking down at the design manuscript without looking up, as if he was reading some rare and unique book.
The air in the conference room seemed to have solidified into substance, with only the occasional breeze from the air-conditioning vents blowing across the curtains.
"Mr. Chen is right." Lan Ting finally raised her head, her voice steady. "Zhang Yue, your team's color combination is very innovative, but the core design needs further polishing. The next group should prepare."
The representative of Fang Xia's group stood up and reconnected the laptop to the projector.
As the design drawings unfolded one by one, the tense atmosphere in the conference room gradually relaxed - the "Bamboo Shadow" series they brought used a modified version of Song brocade fabric, and the bamboo leaf embroidery on the cuffs would present different forms of light and shadow changes with movement.
"This detachable lining is very practical." Chen Ran picked up the pen again, "But the curvature of the hem could be optimized to take into account the wearing effect of different body shapes."
At this moment, Chen Ran, like a responsible art teacher, drew a diagram on his notebook - it was a clever plan for adjusting the curvature of the hem.
In the same way, Su Nian's pencil moved quickly on the paper, recording the chairman's suggestions and the surprise that flashed in Fang Xia's eyes.
She noticed that although Chen Ran observed things carefully, he rarely denied anything directly. He always pointed out problems and offered constructive suggestions. For example, when he saw Wu Xiao's knitwear collection, he suddenly asked, "Have you tried blending it with recycled fibers?"
"We made samples, but the feel is not ideal." Wu Xiao responded immediately.
"Have the technical department give you the new fabric they developed last week for trial." Chen Ran closed his notebook. "The design must not only look good, but also stay ahead of the trend. Environmental protection is the future trend, and it can't just remain a concept."
Su Nian drew a small green leaf mark on the edge of the sketchbook: This knowledge point will be tested!
After the last group finished their report, Lan Ting summarized the advantages and disadvantages of each group, and Chen Ran listened attentively.
"By next Tuesday, each group will revise their plans based on today's discussion." Lan Ting closed the folder. "Everyone, dismiss the meeting. Su Nian, please stay a moment. We'll discuss the follow-up work arrangements."
Su Nian nodded in agreement and looked down at the densely packed notes on the sketchbook. Next to the key design points, there were many small expressions: exclamation marks, question marks, smiley faces, and even a resentful little look, as well as the indifferent side profile with the head lowered.
She could feel that this seemingly tense regular meeting not only allowed her to quickly understand the team's design style, but also gave her a real understanding of Chen's clothing concept of "originality as the soul".
However, Mr. Chen's words about the soul of design did not create ripples in her heart, but waves of "enlightenment".
The people in the conference room gradually dispersed. When Zhang Yue hurriedly left with his laptop, his sad eyes clearly glanced at Director Chen again.
Lan Ting gathered the scattered design drafts neatly. Chen Ran stood up and walked to the window, tapping lightly with his fingers on the rain marks on the glass - at some point, an "atmospheric drizzle" had begun to fall outside the window.
"Su Nian, come sit here." Lan Ting pointed to the empty seat next to her. "This is my first regular meeting today. Is there anything you want to talk about?"
Su Nian closed the sketchbook and gently stroked the cover with his fingertips.
The tension in the meeting room was still lingering in her mind. She took a deep breath and her eyes were clear when she looked up.
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